This site specializes in information on Chinese civilian & military orders, decorations, & medals from the Qing Dynasty, the Republic and the People's Republic periods.

Colored Dragon, The Last Qing Imperial Orders

        The Order of the Colored Dragon, as it became commonly known in the West, was created in 1911,  literally in the last days of the Qing Dynasty.  As far as we Know, it was never fully implemented as a national order, although a few were probably given out, and samples of the award do surface from time to time.  (For more details on the historical background of this order, please refer to the article entitled "Two Rare Orders of the Early Republic of China". )

        This Order was meant to replace the Order of the Double Dragon, and consisted of the Order of the Throne (Da Bao Zhang, which later re-appeared in the Early Republic era as the Grand Order, in pretty much the same design), the Orders of the Yellow Dragon and the Red Dragon (both for members of royal families), and the Orders of the Blue Dragon and the Black Dragon (for nobles and high officials).

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Send mail to pkua@netvigator.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © Paul Kua
Last modified: March 23, 2005